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EVE H. KARASIK (Cal. Bar No. 155356) GABRIEL I. GLAZER (Cal. Bar No. 246384) STUTMAN TREISTER & GLATT PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 1901 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor Los Angeles, California90067 Telephone: (310) 228-5600 Facsimile: (310) 228-5788
Bankruptcy Counsel for the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES DIVISION
In re
J.T. THORPE, INC., a California corporation; J.T. THORPE, INC., a dissolved California corporation;
Debtors.
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Chapter 11 Case Nos. LA-02-14216-BB & LA-04-35876-BB (Jointly Administered Under Case No. LA-02-14216-BB) EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTING, AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND CLAIM REPORT
Hearing: Date: June 4, 2014 Time: 2:00 p.m. Place: Courtroom 1475 255 East Temple Street Los Angeles, CA90012
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TO THE HONORABLE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE AND OTHER PARTIES IN INTEREST:
The Trustees of the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust by and through their counsel,
Stutman, Treister&Glatt, hereby file the Eighth Annual Report and Accounting, Audited Financial
Statements, and Claim Report. DATED: April 29, 2014
Respectfully submitted, /s/ Gabriel I. Glazer
EVE H. KARASIK, and GABRIEL I. GLAZER, Members of STUTMAN, TREISTER & GLATT PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION Bankruptcy Counsel for the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
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EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTING OF J.T. THORPE SETTLEMENT TRUST
The Trustees of the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust ("Trust") hereby submit this Eighth
Annual Report and Accounting ("Annual Report") covering Trust activities that occurred during the
period from January 1, 2013 to and including December 31, 2013 ("Accounting Period"), and certain
activities of the Trust that took place outside of the Accounting Period. This Annual Report is
submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles Division,
In re J.T. Thorpe, Inc., a California corporation; J.T. Thorpe, a dissolved California corporation;
Thorpe Holding Company, a California corporation; and Thorpe Technologies, Inc., a California
corporation, Case Nos. LA02-14216-BB; LA04-35876-BB; LA04-35877-BB; LA04-35847-BB,
Jointly Administered Under Case No. LA 02-14216-BB, in accordance with the First Amended Joint
Plan of Reorganization[Docket No. 472](the "Plan"); Order Confirming First Amended Joint Plan
of Reorganization Dated August 5, 2005, and Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 1455]
("Confirmation Order"); and the Trust Agreement, Bylaws, Trust Distribution Procedures, and Case
Valuation Matrix, as amended from time to time, established pursuant to the Plan1, and pursuant to
the laws of the state of Nevada, where the Trust is organized and where it resides. The Trust
Agreement states in Section 7.11 that the Trust is governed by Nevada law. Section 164.015 of the
Nevada Revised Statutes allows the Trust to render an accounting and seek approval for its past
actions. The factual statements in this Annual Report are supported by the Declaration of Sara Beth
Brown, Executive Director, in Support of Motion to Approve and Settle J.T. Thorpe Settlement
Trust's Eighth Annual Report and Accounting, Audited Financial Statements, and Claim Report as
described in paragraphs 6, 7, and 8, infra. The factual statements contained in paragraph 20, infra
are supported by the Declaration of Benjamin P. Smith in Support of Motion to Approve and Settle
1 The Appendix includes the Plan; Order Confirming the Plan; Seventh Amendment to and Complete Restatement of
J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement"); Second Amendment to and Complete Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Bylaws ("Trust Bylaws"); First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Case Valuation Matrix (the "Matrix"); First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of Trust Distribution Procedures ("TDP"); other controlling documents approved by this Court; and other documents as indicated.
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J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust’s Eighth Annual Report and Accounting, Audited Financial
Statements, and Claim Report. Capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Glossary of
Terms for the Plan Documents. This Court has approved each Annual Report beginning in 2007.
1. Effective Date: In compliance with Sections 4.1 and 7.2 of the Plan, and the
Glossary of Terms for the Plan Documents, the Effective Date of the Trust is June 29, 2006.
2. Appointment of Trustees: In its March 23, 2006 Order Granting Plan
Proponents' Motion for Approval of Appointment of Trustee for the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust,
this Court approved the appointment of Mr. Stephen M. Snyder as the sole Trustee of the Trust.
As initially described in the Trust's Fourth Annual Report and Accounting, on April
19, 2007, the number of Trustees was increased to three (3) by the Futures Representative and the
Trust Advisory Committee effective on the first anniversary of the Effective Date of the Trust.
Mr. Snyder was designated as the Managing Trustee on July 24, 2007, and has acted
in that capacity since that time. Dr. Sandra R. Hernandez and Mr. John F. Luikart have acted as
Trustees of the Trust since June 29, 2007.
3. Appointment of Trust Advisory Committee: In the Order Confirming the
Plan, this Court approved the appointment of Alan Brayton, Steven Kazan, and David Rosen as the
initial members of the TAC. Mr. Brayton has served as Chair of the TAC, and Messrs. Kazan and
Rosen have continued to serve as members of the TAC since the Effective Date of the Trust.
4. Appointment and Continuation of Futures Representative: The Honorable
Charles B. Renfrew was appointed as the Futures Representative in the J.T. Thorpe Reorganization
Cases on December 2, 2002, and his continued appointment as the Futures Representative of the
Trust was approved by this Court in the Confirmation Order. Judge Renfrew has served as the
Trusts' Future Representative since the Effective Date of the Trust.
5. Fiscal Year and Tax Obligations: The Trust is required by the Internal
Revenue Code to account for and report on its activities for tax purposes on a calendar-year basis.
Therefore, the Trust's fiscal year is the calendar year. Except where otherwise stated, all reports
attached to this Annual Report cover the Accounting Period. Section 2.2(b) of the Trust Agreement
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requires the Trustees to file income tax and other returns and statements in a timely manner, and to
comply with all withholding obligations as legally required, including fulfilling requirements to
maintain its status as a Qualified Settlement Fund. The federal tax return for 2013 will be filed by its
extended due date of September 15, 2014. The Trust resides in Nevada, and Nevada has no state
income tax. Although the Trust is not subject to tax in California, the Trustees file a tax return in
California each year, attaching a copy of the Trust's federal tax return, but showing no California
taxable income or state tax liability.
6. Annual Report: Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Trust Agreement provides in pertinent
part: The Trustees shall cause to be prepared and filed with the Bankruptcy Court . . . an annual report containing financial statements of the Trust (including, without limitation, a statement of the net claimants' equity of the Trust as of the end of such fiscal year and a statement of changes in net claimants' equity for such fiscal year) audited by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Trustees and accompanied by an opinion of such firm as to the fairness of the financial statements' presentation of the equity presently available to current and future claimants and as to the conformity of the financial statements with the following special-purpose accounting methods which differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The Trust's financial statements are prepared using special-purpose accounting methods that depart
from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in certain instances in order to better
disclose the amount and changes in net claimants' equity.
7. Financial Report: In accordance with the requirements of Section 2.2(c)(i) of
the Trust Agreement, the Trust has caused its financial statements to be audited by Grant Thornton
LLP, the independent certified public accountants retained by the Trust to perform the annual audit
of its financial statements. The Trust's audited financial statements ("Audited Financial Statements")
are attached hereto as Exhibit "A". These include a Statement of Net Claimants' Equity, a Statement
of Changes in Net Claimants' Equity, a Statement of Cash Flows and explanatory Notes. The
Statement of Net Claimants' Equity, which is the equivalent of a corporate balance sheet, reflects
total assets of the Trust at market value and on the other comprehensive basis of accounting adopted
by the Trust. These Audited Financial Statements show, among other things, that as of December 31
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2013, total Trust assets were $158,299,739 total liabilities were $12,790,311 and Net Claimants'
Equity was $145,509,428.
8. Claim Report: Section 2.2(c)(ii) of the Trust Agreement provides that along
with the Audited Financial Statements, the Trust shall file with the Court a report containing a
summary regarding the number and type of claims disposed of during the period covered by the
financial statements. The J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Claim Report As of December 31, 2013
("Claim Report") is attached hereto as Exhibit "B". During the Accounting Period, the Trust
received 493 claims, paid 452 claims, and made settlement offers on 623 claims. Since the Trust
received its first Trust Claim2 on October 24, 2006, the Trust has received 6,483 Trust Claims, paid
3,564 Trust Claims, and 1,641 Trust Claims have been withdrawn.3
Section 5.4 of the TDP provides that "as soon as practicable after the Effective Date,
the Trust shall pay all Trust Claims that were liquidated by (i) a written settlement agreement entered
into prior to the Petition Date for the particular claim, or (ii) the pre-confirmation claims liquidation
process." The vast majority of the 1,474 Trust claims identified in this Court's January 27, 2006,
Order Liquidating Asbestos Related Claims (hereafter "PCLP Claims") were paid in 2006. To date,
eight (8)PCLP Claims have been withdrawn by their respective law firms. During the Accounting
Period, no PCLP Claims were paid. The Trust has not yet received proper release documents for
twenty-two (22) remaining unpaid PCLP Claims in the amount of $75,542.
9. Public Inspection: In compliance with Section 2.2(c) of the Trust Agreement,
the Annual Report, including the Audited Financial Statements and Claim Report, has been sent to
the Futures Representative, the TAC, the Debtors, and the Office of the United States Trustee with
responsibility for the Central District of California, and has been filed with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Accordingly, the Annual Report and all
2 "Trust Claims" are any claims submitted to the Trust after the Effective Date.
3 "Withdrawn Claims" include claims which are not qualified and/or claims with deficiencies that have not been cured beyond a certain time period, and/or claims that have remained on hold beyond a certain time period.
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attached and related documents have been made available for inspection by the public in accordance
with procedures established by the Court.
10. Trustees' Meetings: Article II, Section 4 of the Trust Bylaws provides that the
Trustees shall meet in Nevada, or a state other than California, at least four times a year, as close as
practicable on a quarterly basis. Four(4) meetings were held during the Accounting Period
(February 7-8, 2013, April 15, 2013, September 11, 2013, and November 21, 2013). All meetings
were held in Nevada.
11. Arbitrations: During the accounting period, no arbitrations were held
pursuant to Section 5.9 of the Trust Distribution Procedures.
12. Payment Percentage: Section 4.2 of the TDP provides that, commencing on
the first day of January, after the Plan has been consummated and no less frequently than once every
three years thereafter or at any time if requested to do so by the TAC or Futures Representative, the
Trustees shall reconsider the Payment Percentage to assure that it is based on accurate current
information and may, after such reconsideration, change the Payment Percentage if necessary with
the consent of the TAC and Futures Representative. As initially described in the Trust's Fourth
Annual Report and Accounting, the Payment Percentage was temporarily decreased from 50% to
40% effective December 1, 2008 pursuant to the guidelines of Sections 2.3 and 4.2 of the TDP. As
described in the Trust's Fifth Annual Report and Accounting, at the November 18, 2010 meeting, the
Payment Percentage was reviewed and adjusted to 45%. On February 7, 2013, the Payment
Percentage was again reviewed and remains at 45%.
13. Maximum Annual Payment: Section 2.4 of the TDP requires that the Trust
calculate an annual payment limit for claims ("Maximum Annual Payment") based upon a model of
the amount of cash flow anticipated to be necessary over the entire life of the Trust to ensure that
funds will be available to treat all present and future claimants as similarly as possible. At the
November 21, 2013 meeting, the Maximum Annual Payment for 2013 was set at $9,400,000, plus
the amount of $39,239,860 of excess funds carried over from prior years, which Section 2.5 of the
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TDP requires to be rolled over and remain dedicated to the respective "Disease Category" (as such
term is defined in the TDP) to which they were originally allocated.
14. Inflation Adjustment: The original Payment Percentage approved by this
Court was based upon projections of future claims payments adjusted annually for inflation.
Beginning in 2008, all claims payments made during a calendar year include a cost of living
adjustment based upon the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban
Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) announced in January each year. At the November
21, 2013 meeting, the CPI-W to be published in January 2014, was approved for use by the Trust in
making the 2014 cost of living adjustment for claims payments. The CPI-W of 1.5% was issued on
January 16, 2014. Consequently, all claims payments made during the 2014 calendar year will have
a compounded inflation rate of 16.26% added to the payment amount.
15. Budget and Cash Flow Projections: Section 2.2(d) of the Trust Agreement
requires the Trust to prepare a budget and cash flow projections prior to the commencement of each
fiscal year covering such fiscal year and the succeeding four fiscal years. The Trustees approved the
2014 budget and the required four-year budget and cash flow projections on November 21, 2013.
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, these were provided to the Approving Entities. The budget for
operating expenses in 2014 totals $1,622,000.4
16. Trust Facilities and Services Sharing Agreement with Western Asbestos
Settlement Trust: As initially described in the Trust's First Annual Report and Accounting, the Trust
and Western Asbestos Settlement Trust ("Western Trust") entered into a Trust Facilities and Services
Sharing Agreement. The Trust agreed to pay a negotiated monthly amount. Such arrangement was
approved by this Court in the order approving the Trust's First Annual Report and Accounting.
Pursuant to the annual reconciliation of fees presented at the February 7, 2013 meeting, the advance
payments were set at $26,000 for 2013. Additionally, at the February 7, 2013 meeting, the Trustees
approved the Fourth Amendment to and Complete Restatement of the Trust Facilities and Services
4 This figure is net of claimant payments which are budgeted for $9,400,000, net of extraordinary legal fees that are
budgeted for $1,030,000, and net of income tax payments that are budgeted for $225,000.
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Sharing Agreement between the Trust and the Western Trust. The annual reconciliation presented
on February 20, 2014 set the advance payments at $29,000 per month for 2014 and the total amount
paid by the Trust to the Western Trust, after accounts were reconciled for 2013, was $368,360.
17. Settlement Fund: The Settlement Fund was established at Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A., to pay valid claims.
18. Operating Fund: The Operating Fund was established at Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A. as described in the Trust's Annual Reports. During the Accounting Period, transfers were made
from the Settlement Fund to the Operating Fund to pay anticipated operating expenses of the Trust.
19. Indemnity Fund (Self-Insured Retention): Section 4.6 of the Trust Agreement
provides that the Trust shall indemnify the Trustees, the Trust's officers and employees, the Futures
Representative, the TAC and each of their respective agents. The Trustees, the Futures
Representative, the TAC and their respective agents have a first priority lien upon the Trust's assets
to secure the payment of any amounts payable to them pursuant to Section 4.6.
In 2006, the Trust established an indemnity fund in the amount of $5,000,000, as
described in the Trust's Annual Reports. All interest earned by the fund is returned to the Trust
quarterly. On September 11, 2013, the Trust entered into the First Amendment to and Complete
Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Indemnity Agreement. During the Accounting Period,
no claims were made against the fund and no money was paid from the fund.
20. Legal Dispute: As discussed in the Seventh Annual Report, on September 19,
2012, the Trust filed its Complaint for Declaratory Judgment [Docket No. 1]and on October 24,
2012, its First Amended Complaint for (I) Declaratory Judgment and (II) Equitable Relief [Docket
No. 18] (the "Amended Complaint") in the Bankruptcy Court (Adversary Case No. 2:12-ap-02182-
BB) (the "Adversary Proceeding") against Michael J. Mandelbrot and the Mandelbrot Law Firm
(collectively, "Mandelbrot"). The Amended Complaint (i) requested a declaratory judgment from
the Bankruptcy Court "confirming that the Investigation to determine whether the Defendants have
engaged in a pattern or practice of submitting unreliable evidence to the J.T. Thorpe Trust is
authorized and appropriate under the circumstances," and (ii) sought related equitable relief.
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The Adversary Proceeding was procedurally consolidated with a similar adversary
proceeding brought by the Thorpe Insulation Company Asbestos Settlement Trust (and collectively
with the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust, the “Trusts”) in the Bankruptcy Court. The docket for the
consolidated actions was maintained in the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust adversary proceeding (Case
No. 2:02-bk-14216-BB). In addition, the Western Trust commenced a similar adversary proceeding
against Mandelbrot in its bankruptcy case pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Northern District of California. All three trusts are supervised by the same Trustees and the same
Futures Representative, and all three trusts evaluate and process claims through the same facility and
processing staff.5
On February 1, 2013, Mandelbrot filed its answer to the Amended Complaint.
During 2013, the Bankruptcy Court granted two substantive motions filed by the Futures
Representative and the Trusts, respectively, in the Adversary Proceeding. See 2:12-ap-02182-BB
(Order Granting the Futures Representative's Motion to Intervene) [Docket No. 96]; and (Order
Granting Plaintiffs' Motion to Strike Jury Demand) [Docket No. 126]. The Bankruptcy Court held
status conferences on April 30, 2013 and August 27, 2013. On October 2, 2013, the Bankruptcy
Court entered its Order Setting Trial Date and Establishing Procedures for Conduct of Court Trial
[Docket No. 140], which set a January 21, 2014 trial date on the Amended Complaint.
On May 24, 2013, the Western Trust together with the Thorpe Trust sent a letter that
set forth determinations and decisions based on the information obtained as of that date.
Conclusions and decisions stated in the May 24, 2013 letter included:
Those conclusions and decisions are:
1. Mandelbrot (i.e., the firm and its principal) each are unreliable under the
"person" or "entity" requirement of section 5.7(a).
2. Mandelbrot has submitted unreliable evidence to each of the Trusts and,
with regard to the J.T. Thorpe and Thorpe Insulation Trusts specifically, has done so in a pattern
5 The Western Trust adversary proceeding against Mandelbrot was dismissed without prejudice on
October 30, 2013. [Docket No. 109]
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revealed by the practices that have been the focus of this investigation. The pattern revealed by
the investigation has been exacerbated by a lack of cooperation with the Trusts' audit efforts.
3. While the Trustees do not make such a determination at this time, there is
substantial information to support a conclusion that some of the unreliable evidence submitted to
the Trusts was fabricated or manipulated intentionally or with conscious disregard for its accuracy
and thus was fraudulent.
The Trusts filed an initial Motion for Instruction with respect to their audit of
Mandelbrot in August 2013. By order dated October 2, 2013, this Court set both the adversary
proceeding and the motion for instructions for evidentiary hearing or trial to begin on January 21,
2014. The Trusts presented the testimony of their witnesses through declaration and submitted other
evidence. Trial commenced on January 21 and continued through January 22.
On the morning of trial on January 23, 2014, Mandelbrot, the Trusts, as well as the
Western Trust and the Plant Insulation Settlement Trust, entered into an agreement that resolved the
Adversary Proceeding. The terms of the agreement and settlement were read in to the record and
agreed to by all parties, including Mandelbrot. The Trusts prepared an Order, Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law and a Judgment that set forth the terms and effect of the agreement. Several
days later, but before the Trusts were able to lodge any of these draft documents, Mandelbrot’s
attorney withdrew as counsel, Mandelbrot substituted himself as counsel into the Adversary
Proceedings and then attempted to repudiate the agreement laid on the record on January 23, 2014.
The Trusts provided copies of the Order, Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Judgment to
Mandelbrot and filed them, along with a Notice of Dispute [Docket No. 197] on February 11, 2013.
Mandelbrot filed written objections to the agreement on or about February 12, 2014.
At the Trusts’ request, this Court set a hearing and briefing schedule for enforcement
of the stipulated agreement. The hearing was held on March 27, 2014 and this Court ruled that the
agreement was enforceable. The Order Granting Motion To Enforce January 23, 2014 Stipulated
Agreement [Docket No. 232] (“Enforcement Order”) and Order Following Trial On Adversary
Complaints And Motion For Instructions [Docket No. 233] (“Order After Trial”) were entered.
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The Order After Trial ordered, among other things, that Mandelbrot: (1) “effective
immediately” shall file no new claims with the Trusts; (2) “effective immediately, Mandelbrot shall
cease all activity with respect to claims (“Pending Claims”) for the Trusts and shall transfer each
Pending Claim and all past claims made against the Trusts to an attorney who will take
responsibility; and (3) that if the Trusts do not receive a notice of transfer for the Pending Claims
and past claims by July 23, 2014, then those claims shall be deemed withdrawn and Mandelbrot
agreed that all such claims with respect to this Trust may be deemed withdrawn. All of this was
reduced to a Judgment, entered on April 7, 2014, resolving the adversary proceedings. [Docket No.
234]. This Court issued its Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law supporting its Order after Trial
[Docket No. 235] on April 9, 2014. The Trust has implemented the stipulated agreement found to be
enforceable by this Court. Following entry of Judgment, Mandelbrot has filed a notice of appeal,
and likewise filed a motion to stay enforcement of the Judgment pending appeal, which is currently
set for hearing on May 27, 2014.
21. Amendments to the Trust Documents: No changes were made to Trust
Documents during the Accounting Period. However, the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Bylaws were
amended on February 20, 2014, and the Trust Distribution Procedures and Matrix were amended on
March 25, 2014. Copies of the Third Amended and Completely Restated J.T. Thorpe Settlement
Trust Bylaws, J.T. Thorpe, Inc., a California corporation/J.T. Thorpe, Inc., a dissolved California
corporation/Thorpe Holding Company, Inc., a California corporation/Thorpe Technologies, Inc., a
California corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Second Amendment to and Complete
Restatement of Trust Distribution Procedures, and Second Amendment to and Complete
Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Case Valuation Matrix are included in the Appendix filed herewith.
22. Notifications to Beneficiaries: During the Accounting Period and,
additionally, from January 1, 2014 to and including April 17, 2014, the following notifications were
placed on the Trust's Website:
a. Notice of no modification to J.T. Thorpe Payment Percentage (posted
February 20, 2013);
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b. Notification of the hearing on the Trust's Seventh Annual Report and
Accounting (posted May 1, 2013);
c. Notice of approved modifications to JTTS Land Site List and JTTS
Ships List (posted October 1, 2013);
d. Notice of suspension of the Phase One Pro Bono Evaluation
Proceedings (posted January 14, 2014);
e. Notice of Settlement of Mandelbrot adversary proceeding (posted
January 31, 2014);
f. Notice of claims processing FTP server maintenance (posted February
18, 2014);
g. Notice of computer system incursion (posted February 21, 2014);
h. Notice/update regarding computer system incursion (posted March 6,
2014);
i. Notice regarding submission of claims in paper form (posted March
14, 2014); and
j. Notice/update regarding settlement of Mandelbrot adversary
proceeding (posted April 16, 2014).
23. Attempt to Place False Claim in the Western Trust Database: The Trust
discovered on February 18, 2014, that an attempt had been made to place a fictitious claim within
the Western Trust database on or about February 15, 2014. All Trusts’ systems were taken off-line
on February 18, 2014, and a cyber-security firm was hired to conduct a forensic investigation. The
Trusts also hired a law firm that specializes in the legal requirements, if any, related to the false
claim placement. The investigation is ongoing. Claims are being submitted in paper or digital form
until such time as the systems can be safely placed back on line.
24. System Development: The Trust has been working to develop an updated
system and anticipates that it will contract with an outside vendor and move to a new platform
within 2014.
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25. Filing Fee: Pursuant to Section 6.5 of the TDP at the September 11, 2013
meeting, the filing fee was reviewed and there were no recommended changes to the existing $250
fee during the Accounting Period or as of the date hereof.
26. Trustee's Compensation: Section 4.5(c) of the Trust Agreement requires the
Trust to report the amounts paid to the Trustees for compensation and expenses. During the
Accounting Period, the Trustees each received per annum compensation in the amount of $20,000
paid in quarterly installments. The total paid to all Trustees for hourly compensation was $155,080
and $4,722was the total amount of expenses incurred by all Trustees.
27. Significant Vendors: Although the Trust has many vendors, those who were
paid more than $100,000 during the Accounting Period are listed alphabetically below:
a. Analysis Research Planning Corporation (“ARPC”): Provides monthly
maintenance of the Trust’s current claims processing system. Dr. Vasquez of ARPC acts as the
expert professional with whom the Trustees consult;
b. Eagle Capital Management, LLC: One of six investment managers for the
Trust described in paragraph 28, infra;
c. Fergus, a Law Office: Counsel to the Honorable Charles Renfrew, Futures
Representative;
d. Harding Loevner, LP: One of six investment managers for the Trust
described in paragraph 28, infra;
e. Molland Law: Co-counsel for the Mandelbrot litigation described in
paragraph 20, supra;
f. Morgan Lewis &Bockius: Counsel to the Trust in the Mandelbrot
investigation and the Adversary Proceeding described in paragraph 20, supra;
g. Standish Mellon Asset Management Company: One of six investment
managers for the Trust described in paragraph 28, infra;
h. Stutman, Treister & Glatt Professional Corporation: Bankruptcy counsel to the
Trust;
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i. Western Asbestos Settlement Trust for shared services pursuant to the Trust
Facilities Services Sharing Agreement, as described in paragraph 16, supra; and
j. Westwood Management Corporation: One of six investment managers for the
Trust described in paragraph 28, infra.
28. Trust Investment Management: Article 3 of the Trust Agreement authorizes
the Trust to administer the investment of funds in the manner in which individuals of ordinary
prudence, discretion and judgment would act in the management of their own affairs, subject to
certain limitations. The Trust closely monitors any market volatility with its investment advisors
and continues to be in compliance with its Investment Policy Statement. Callan Associates, Inc.
continued to assist the Trust during the Accounting Period as its manager of investment managers.
Eagle Capital Management, Harding Loevner, LP, Segall Bryant & Hamill, Standish Mellon Asset
Management, State Street Global Advisors, and Westwood Management Corporation have continued
to act as the Trust's investment managers.
The Trust's Investment Policy Statement was amended on September 11, 2013, a
copy of which is included in the Appendix filed herewith.
***
The Trustees submit that the Annual Report and attached exhibits demonstrate the
Trust acted prudently and expeditiously in executing its legal obligations during the Accounting
Period and up to and including the date hereof. The Trust conscientiously worked to execute
equitable claims procedures and process Trust Claims with due diligence during the Accounting
Period and up to and including the date hereof. Moreover, the Trust worked with its accountants and
financial advisors to preserve and grow Trust assets in order to fulfill the purpose of the Trust –
paying valid asbestos claims. In doing so, the Trust carefully complied with all Plan documents and
the mandates of this Court.
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Financial Statements and Report of IndependentCertified Public Accountants
J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
December 31, 2013 and 2012
EXHIBIT "A"Case 2:02-bk-14216-BB Doc 1718-1 Filed 04/29/14 Entered 04/29/14 16:41:58 Desc Exhibit A and B Page 1 of 20
Contents
Page
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants 3
Statements of Net Claimants’ Equity 5
Statements of Changes in Net Claimants’ Equity 6
Statements of Cash Flows 7
Notes to Financial Statements 8
Supplemental Information
Schedule of Operating Expenses 18
Case 2:02-bk-14216-BB Doc 1718-1 Filed 04/29/14 Entered 04/29/14 16:41:58 Desc Exhibit A and B Page 2 of 20
Grant Thornton LLPU.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd
Audit Tax Advisory
Grant Thornton LLP100 W Liberty Street, Suite 770Reno, NV 89501-1965
T 775.786.1520F 775.786.7091www.GrantThornton.comReport of Independent Certified Public Accountants
TrusteesJ.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust (“the Trust”),organized in the State of Nevada, which comprise the statements of net claimants’ equity as ofDecember 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements changes in net claimants’ equity, and cash flowsfor the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Management’s responsibility for the financial statementsManagement is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements inaccordance with the Trust’s other basis of accounting; this includes the design, implementation, andmaintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statementsthat are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s responsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conductedour audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Thosestandards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether thefinancial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures inthe financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including theassessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the Trust’s preparationand fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriatein the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’sinternal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating theappropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimatesmade by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for ouraudit opinion.
Case 2:02-bk-14216-BB Doc 1718-1 Filed 04/29/14 Entered 04/29/14 16:41:58 Desc Exhibit A and B Page 3 of 20
Grant Thornton LLPU.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd
OpinionIn our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the assetsand liabilities of J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the changes in netclaimants’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with the Trust’s other basis ofaccounting.
Basis of accountingWe draw attention to Note A.2 of the financial statements, which describes the basis of accounting. Thefinancial statements are prepared on the Trust’s other basis of accounting, which is a basis of accountingother than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our opinion is notmodified with respect to this matter.
Supplementary informationOur audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements as a whole.The Schedule of Operating Expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is presented forpurposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements. Such supplementaryinformation is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlyingaccounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. The information has been subjectedto the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and certain additional procedures.These additional procedures included comparing and reconciling the information directly to the underlyingaccounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements or to the financial statementsthemselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted inthe United States of America. In our opinion, the supplementary information is fairly stated, in all materialrespects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.
Restriction on useOur report is intended solely for the information and use of the management of the Trust and Trustees,the beneficiaries of the Trust, the Futures Representative, the Futures Counsel, the members of the TrustAdvisory Committee, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California,Los Angeles Division and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specifiedparties.
Reno, NevadaApril 17, 2014
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2013 2012ASSETS
Cash, cash equivalents and investmentsAvailable-for-sale
Restricted 5,000,000$ 5,000,000$Unrestricted 151,980,051 151,389,759
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments 156,980,051 156,389,759
Accrued interest and dividend receivables 1,074,656 1,061,954Prepaid federal income tax 245,032 346,856
Total assets 158,299,739$ 157,798,569$
LIABILITIESAccrued expenses 545,576$ 355,364$Claim processing deposits 349,000 387,750Unpaid claims (Note D)
Outstanding offers 3,208,511 2,603,261Pre-confirmation liquidated claims 84,224 83,642
Deferred tax liability 8,255,000 4,610,000Facility and staff sharing agreement payable 348,000 312,000
Total liabilities 12,790,311$ 8,352,017$
NET CLAIMANTS' EQUITY 145,509,428$ 149,446,552$
J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
STATEMENTS OF NET CLAIMANTS' EQUITY
December 31,
5
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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2013 2012
Net claimants' equity, beginning of year 149,446,552$ 154,646,540$
Additions to net claimants' equityInvestment income 3,480,440 3,897,669Net decrease in facility sharing payable - 12,000Net realized and unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 10,629,876 8,733,866
Total additions 14,110,316 12,643,535
Deductions from net claimants' equityOperating expenses 2,823,882 1,817,506Provision for income taxes, current 165,485 260,588Provision for income taxes, deferred 3,645,000 3,224,000Net increase in facility sharing 36,000 -Claims settled 10,771,240 11,774,395Net increase in outstanding claim offers 605,833 767,034
Total deductions 18,047,440 17,843,523
Net claimants' equity, end of year 145,509,428$ 149,446,552$
J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET CLAIMANTS' EQUITY
For the years ended December 31,
6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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2013 2012Cash inflows:
Investment income receipts 3,467,738$ 4,136,853$Net realized gain on available-for-sale securities 771,425 2,288,342
Total cash inflows 4,239,163 6,425,195
Cash outflows:Claim payments made 10,771,239 11,772,992Decrease in claim processing deposits 38,750 47,000Disbursements for Trust operating expenses 2,633,672 1,640,561Disbursements for Trust income taxes 63,661 47,061
Total cash outflows 13,507,322 13,507,614
Net cash outflows (9,268,159) (7,082,419)
Non-cash changes:Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 9,858,451 6,445,524
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE 590,292 (636,895)
Cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale, beginning of year 156,389,759 157,026,654
Cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale, end of year 156,980,051$ 156,389,759$
J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31,
7
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2013 and 2012
8
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1. Description of TrustThe J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust (the Trust), organized pursuant to the laws of the state of Nevada withits office in Reno, Nevada, was established pursuant to the J. T. Thorpe, Inc. (J. T. Thorpe), DissolvedJ. T. Thorpe, Inc. (Dissolved Thorpe), Thorpe Technologies, Inc., and Thorpe Holding Company, Inc.,(collectively the Debtors), First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the Plan), dated August 5, 2005.The Trust was formed to assume the Debtors’ liabilities resulting from pending and potential litigationinvolving individuals exposed to asbestos who have manifested asbestos-related diseases or conditions forwhich the Debtors’ are legally responsible; liquidate, resolve, pay and satisfy all valid asbestos-related claimsin accordance with the Plan; preserve, hold, manage and maximize the Trust assets for use in paying andsatisfying allowed asbestos-related claims; prosecute, settle and manage the disposition of the asbestosin-place insurance coverage; and prosecute, settle and manage asbestos insurance coverage actions. Uponapproval of the Plan, the Trust assumed liability for existing and future asbestos health claims against theDebtors. The Trust was created effective June 29, 2006.
The Trust was initially funded with insurance settlement proceeds, Dissolved Thorpe securities, cash anda note receivable. Since the Trust’s creation, the note receivable has been collected. The Trust’s funding isdedicated solely to the settlement of asbestos health claims and the related costs thereto, as defined in thePlan.
The Trust processes and pays all asbestos-related claims in accordance with the J. T. Thorpe SettlementTrust Agreement, as amended and restated, the Case Valuation Matrix, as amended and restated, (Matrix)and Trust Distribution Procedures, as amended and restated, (TDP) (collectively, the Trust Documents).
2. Special-Purpose Accounting MethodsThe Trust’s financial statements are prepared using special-purpose accounting methods that differ fromaccounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The special-purpose accounting methodswere adopted in order to present the amount of equity available for payment of current and future claims.These special-purpose accounting methods are as follows:
The financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, as modified below.
The funding received from J. T. Thorpe, Dissolved Thorpe, Thorpe Technologies, Inc., ThorpeHolding Company, Inc. and their insurers is recorded directly to net claimants’ equity. Thesefunds do not represent income of the Trust. Offers for asbestos health claims are reported asdeductions from net claimants’ equity and do not represent expenses of the Trust.
Costs of non-income producing assets, which will be exhausted during the life of the Trust andare not available for satisfying claims, are expensed when incurred. These costs includeacquisition costs of computer hardware, software and software development.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
9
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
2. Special-Purpose Accounting Methods - Continued
Future fixed liabilities and contractual obligations entered into by the Trust are recorded directlyagainst net claimants’ equity. Accordingly, the future minimum commitments outstanding atperiod end for non-cancelable obligations have been recorded as deductions from net claimants’equity.
The liability for unpaid claims reflected in the statement of net claimants’ equity representssettled but unpaid claims and outstanding offers. A claims liability is recorded once an offer ismade to the claimant at the amount equal to the expected pro rata payment. No liability isrecorded for future claim filings and filed claims on which no offer has been made. Netclaimants’ equity represents funding available to pay present and future claims on which no fixedliability has been recorded.
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. All interest and dividend income onavailable-for-sale securities, net of investment expenses, is included in investment income onthe statement of changes in net claimants’ equity. Net realized and unrealized gains and losseson available-for-sale securities are recorded as a separate component on the statement ofchanges in net claimants’ equity.
Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded based on the security’samortized cost. At the time a security is sold, all previously recorded unrealized gains and lossesare reversed and recorded net, as a component of other unrealized gains and losses in theaccompanying statement of changes in net claimants’ equity.
3. Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents include demand deposit accounts and cash invested in money market funds.
4. InvestmentsFair value measurements are determined through the use of an independent, nationally recognized pricingservice. For securities that have quoted prices in active markets, market quotations are provided. Forsecurities that do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service provides fair value estimates using a varietyof inputs including, but not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuerspreads, bids, offers, reference data, prepayment spreads and measures of volatility. The Trust reviews onan ongoing basis the reasonableness of the methodologies used by the pricing service, as well as determinesthe aggregate portfolio price performance and reviews it against applicable indices.
5. DepositsClaims processing deposits represent filing fees collected for each unliquidated claim, which fees arerefunded by the Trust if the claim is paid.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
10
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Continued
6. Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with the special-purpose accounting methodsdescribed above requires the Trust to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amountsof assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions anddeductions to net claimants’ equity during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from thoseestimates.
7. Concentration of RiskFinancial instruments that potentially subject the Trust to concentrations of risk consist of cash, cashequivalents and investments. Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts. Cash equivalents anddemand deposits are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits.
The Trust utilizes risk controls to meet investment objectives authorized by its Trustees. Such risk controlsinclude the use of outside investment advisors meeting predetermined criteria, and third-party quantitativeand qualitative risk measurement evaluation tools. The Trust believes its risk control practices areappropriate to meet investment objectives.
Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rates, credit, and overallmarket volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonablypossible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changecould materially affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.
8. Income TaxesThe Trust’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as acomponent of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2013, the Trust did not have any accruedinterest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor did it incur any interest andpenalties expense with any unrecognized tax benefits for the year then ended. The Trust is unaware ofinformation concerning any tax positions for which a material change in the unrecognized tax benefit orliability is reasonably possible within the next twelve months. The Trust files income tax returns in theUnited States. Although the Trust owes no tax to the State of California, it files an annual tax return inCalifornia reporting no taxable income or tax owed. The Trust is no longer subject to United States federaltax examinations for years before 2010.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
11
NOTE B - CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
The Trust has classified its investments as available-for-sale, and recorded the securities at estimated fairvalue, as follows:
December 31, 2013Cost Fair Value
RestrictedCash equivalents $ 57,775 $ 57,776U.S. Government obligations 2,196,215 2,118,230Municipal bonds 156,701 148,241Asset backed securities 261,335 258,621Corporate and other debt 2,485,193 2,417,132
$ 5,157,219 $ 5,000,000
UnrestrictedCash demand deposits $ 251,703 $ 251,703Cash equivalents 12,790,088 12,790,088Equity securities 44,792,975 64,620,382U.S. Government obligations 6,630,254 6,447,383Municipal bonds 57,490,725 59,703,071Asset-backed securities 806,162 812,787Corporate and other debt 7,556,903 7,354,637
$ 130,318,810 $ 151,980,051
December 31, 2012Cost Fair Value
RestrictedCash equivalents $ 123,520 $ 123,520U.S. Government obligations 2,241,115 2,241,617Municipal bonds 139,249 138,360Asset backed securities 79,184 79,657Corporate and other debt 2,429,467 2,416,846
$ 5,012,535 $ 5,000,000
UnrestrictedCash demand deposits $ 986,856 $ 986,856Cash equivalents 11,772,246 11,772,246Equity securities 52,706,510 59,335,209U.S. Government obligations 6,911,985 6,979,896Municipal bonds 59,819,475 64,752,050Asset-backed securities 493,605 505,793Corporate and other debt 7,040,979 7,057,709
$ 139,731,656 $ 151,389,759
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
12
NOTE B - CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS - Continued
The Trust accounts for investments according to a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes betweenassumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Trust’s assumptions (unobservable inputs).The hierarchy consists of three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical orsimilar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where significant inputs areobservable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable, and for which thedetermination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial instruments for whichthe Trust accounts, were as follows at:
December 31, 2013Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
AssetsCash demand deposits $ 251,703 $ - $ -Cash equivalents 12,847,864 - -Equity securities 64,620,382 - -U.S. Government obligations 3,848,150 4,717,463 ¤ -Municipal bonds - 59,851,312 -Asset-backed securities - 1,071,408 -Corporate debt and other 9,771,769 - -
$ 91,339,868 $ 65,640,183 $ -
December 31, 2012Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
AssetsCash demand deposits $ 986,856 $ - $ -Cash equivalents 11,895,766 - -Equity securities 59,335,209 - -U.S. Government obligations 1,202,816 8,018,697 ¤ -Municipal bonds - 64,890,410 -Asset-backed securities - 585,450 -Corporate debt 9,474,555 - -
$ 82,895,202 $ 73,494,557 $ -
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
13
NOTE B - CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS - Continued
The Trust experiences transfers in and out of levels within the fair value hierarchy primarily due to themarket activity of the underlying security. The Trust’s policy is to recognize transfers in and out at theactual date the event or change in circumstance caused the transfer. During December 31, 2013 andDecember 31, 2012, no securities were transferred between Level 1 to Level 2.
The maturities of the Trust’s available-for-sale securities at market value (excluding cash equivalents) areas follows as of December 31, 2013:
Less than1 Year
After1 Year
Through5 Years
After5 Years
Through10 Years
After10 Years
U.S. Government obligations $ 898,655 $ 1,633,404 $ 1,560,339 $ 4,473,215Municipal bonds 509,875 25,494,017 30,947,192 2,900,228Asset-backed securities - 521,107 416,255 134,046Corporate and other debt 257,011 5,631,695 3,551,813 331,250
$ 1,665,541 $ 33,280,223 $ 36,475,599 $ 7,838,739
NOTE C - FIXED ASSETS
The cost of non-income producing assets that will be exhausted during the life of the Trust and are notavailable for satisfying claims are expensed as incurred. Since inception, the cost of fixed assets expensed,net of disposals, include:
Acquisition of computer hardware and software $ 116,189
These items have not been recorded as assets, but rather as operating expenses and direct deductions fromnet claimants’ equity in the accompanying financial statements. The cost of fixed assets that were expensedduring the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $7,728 and $5,158, respectively.
Total depreciation expense related to asset acquisition using accounting principles generally accepted inthe United States would have been approximately $3,225 and $2,063 for the years ended December 31,2013 and 2012, respectively.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
14
NOTE D - CLAIM LIABILITIES
The Trust distinguishes between claims that were resolved prior to the establishment of the Trust (Pre-Confirmation Liquidated Claims) and claims received and processed using the Trust Procedures after thecreation of the Trust (Trust Claims).
The cases underlying the Pre-Confirmation Liquidated Claims were stayed by the court until the Plan wasapproved. The Trust approved procedures and immediately arranged to pay, subject to receiving a claimantrelease, the approved Payment Percentage of the liquidated value of each Pre-Confirmation LiquidatedClaim.
For all claims, a liability for unpaid claims is recorded at the time the offer is extended and the releaseauthorization is mailed. Funds are mailed after the approved release is signed, received, and approved bythe Trust. Unpaid claims liabilities remain on the Trust’s books until the offer is accepted, rejected,withdrawn or expires after six months. Offers may be extended an additional six months upon writtenrequest and good cause. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no expiredoffers.
All claimants are entitled to the full liquidated value of their claim. Under the TDP, claimants receive aninitial pro rata payment equal to the approved Payment Percentage of the claim’s liquidated value. Theremaining obligation for the unpaid portion of the liquidated amount is not recorded, and is not a liabilityof the Trust, unless the Payment Percentage is increased. In that instance, the Trust would be obligated toretroactively pay the increased percentage to all previously paid claimants (see Note F).
In the interest of treating all claimants equitably in accordance with the Plan, the Trustees haverecommended that all payments made during each calendar year ended December 31, 2008 throughDecember 31, 2013 include a cost of Living Adjustment for inflation based on the Federal Bureau ofLabor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Claims liabilitiesat year end are adjusted for any approved Inflation Adjustment. Inflation Adjustments are cumulative.Cumulative Inflation Adjustments of 16.26% and 14.54% are included in outstanding claims liabilities asof December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Trust processed and approved approximately $11,376,489 and $12,540,026 of Trust Claims duringthe years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
15
NOTE E - FACILITY AND STAFF SHARING AGREEMENT
The Trust has entered into a facilities and staff sharing agreement with the Western Asbestos SettlementTrust, (the Western Trust). The two trusts are related through common trustees. Under the agreement,and in exchange for advance monthly payments, the Western Trust provides use of its facilities and servicesrelating to administration and claims processing. The agreement automatically renews for additional one-year periods unless either party provides six months written notice. The amounts of advance monthlypayments are agreed upon between the trusts from time to time. As of December 31, 2013, the equitableamount agreed upon is based on the required written calendar year reconciliation of annual services thatis performed by the Western Trust. The reconciliation is performed and recorded in the period subsequentto the reconciliation period. The reconciliation performed for the year ended December 31, 2013 resultedin an additional payment to the Western Trust of approximately $56,000. The reconciliation performedfor the year ended December 31, 2012 resulted in an additional payment to the Western Trust ofapproximately $103,000. The next reconciliation period will be the twelve-month period endingDecember 31, 2014. Any excess of cost over payments or payments over cost is required to be repaid bythe benefited party with interest. The future payments under this agreement have been recorded as aliability on the accompanying statement of net claimants’ equity.
NOTE F - NET CLAIMANTS’ EQUITY
The Trust was created pursuant to the Plan approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for theCentral District of California, Los Angeles Division. The TDP was adopted pursuant to the Plan andconcurrently with the Trust Agreement. It is designed to provide fair and equitable treatment for all Trustclaims that may presently exist or may arise in the future. The TDP prescribes certain procedures fordistributing the Trust’s limited assets, including pro rata payments and initial determination of claim valuebased on compensable diseases, and individual factual information concerning each claimant as set forthin the Trust Documents.
Under the TDP, the Trust forecasts its anticipated annual sources and uses of cash until the last projectedfuture claim has been paid. A pro rata Payment Percentage is calculated such that the Trust will have noremaining assets or liabilities after the last future claimant receives his/her pro rata share.
Based on research and testimony presented during the bankruptcy, the court approved an initial PaymentPercentage to claimants to be applied to the liquidated value of then current and estimated future claims.The TDP provided that the committee and the Futures Representative may agree on a different InitialPayment Percentage prior to the Effective Date if another party became a Settling Asbestos InsuranceCompany. Pursuant to an agreement between the Committee and the Futures Representative datedJune 29, 2006, the Initial Payment Percentage to be used was 50% of the total liquidated value. The TDPgives the Trustees, with the consent of the Trust Advisory Committee (“TAC”) and the FuturesRepresentative, the power to periodically update its estimate of the Payment Percentage based on updatedassumptions regarding its future assets and liabilities and, if appropriate, propose additional changes in thePayment Percentage. In December 2008, the Payment Percentage was temporarily decreased from 50%to 40%. The decrease had no impact on previously paid claims. In November 2010, after evaluatingassumptions regarding the Trust’s future assets and liabilities, the Trustees approved an increase in thePayment Percentage from 40% to 45%. The increase was retroactive for all claims previously paid at the40% Payment Percentage. These changes were made with the consent of the TAC and FuturesRepresentative.
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J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
December 31, 2013 and 2012
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NOTE G - RESTRICTED CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
To avoid the high costs of director and officer liability insurance, and pursuant to the Trust Agreement,the Trust has elected to be self-insured and has established a segregated security fund of $5 million. Thesefunds are devoted exclusively to securing the obligations of the Trust to indemnify the former and currentTrustees and officers, employees, agents and representatives of the Trust. The funds are held in a separateTrust bank account; and interest income accrues to the benefit of the Trust. As of December 31, 2013and 2012, cash, cash equivalents and investments of $5,000,000 were restricted for these purposes.
NOTE H - INCOME TAXES
For federal income tax purposes, the Trust is taxed as a Qualified Settlement Fund (QSF). Income andexpenses associated with the Trust are taxed in accordance with Section 468B of the Internal RevenueCode. The statutory income tax rate for the Trust is 39.6% for the year ended December 31, 2013 and35% for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The Trust records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporarydifferences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities.
The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 2013 and2012:
2013 2012
Income tax – current $ 165,485 $ 260,588Deferred income tax expense 3,645,000 3,224,000
$ 3,810,485 $ 3,484,588
The components of the deferred income tax asset (liability), as presented in the statement of net claimants’equity consisted of the following at December 31:
2013 2012Deferred tax asset (liability)Operating loss carryforwards $ 258,000 -Other 3,000 2,000Unrealized appreciation (8,516,000) (4,612,000)
$ (8,255,000) $ (4,610,000)
NOTE I - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Trust evaluated subsequent events through April 17, 2014, the date the financial statements wereavailable to be issued. There were no material subsequent events that required recognition or disclosure.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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2013 2012
Accounting 55,286$ 44,058$Claims processing/claims system development 83,557 80,668Futures representative 450,539 141,381Information technology support 36,025 21,761Legal fees 1,544,120 881,468Trust advisory committee 15,211 18,909Trust facility and staff sharing expense 415,290 363,071Trustee fees 219,802 227,055Trustees professional 4,052 39,135
2,823,882$ 1,817,506$
J. T. Thorpe Settlement Trust
SCHEDULE OF OPERATING EXPENSES
For the years ended December 31,
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EXHIBIT “B”
J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Claim Report
As of December 31, 2013 This report is submitted pursuant to Section 2.2 (c)(ii) of the Seventh Amendment to and Complete Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust Agreement, which requires the Trust to file with the Bankruptcy Court a summary of the number and type of claims disposed of during the period covered by the financial statements (“Accounting Period”). This report summarizes the Trust’s processing of claims liquidated under supervision of the Bankruptcy Court (“Pre-Confirmation Liquidated Claims”) and claims received since June 29, 2006, the Effective Date of the Trust (“Trust Claims”). Pre-Confirmation Liquidated Claims
In 2006, the Trust implemented a procedure to pay the Pre-Confirmation Liquidated Claims (“PCLP Claims”) in accordance with the Plan, the Trust Distribution Procedures, the Confirmation Order, the January 27, 2006, Order Liquidating Asbestos Related Claims, and the Agreement Regarding Initial Payment Percentage entered into on June 29, 2006, by the Trust Advisory Committee and the Futures Representative. The Agreement Regarding Initial Payment Percentage provided that the Initial Payment Percentage was to be 50% of the total liquidated claim value. This remained in effect until December 1, 2008, when the Trustees, with the agreement of the Futures Representative and the TAC, adjusted the Payment Percentage to 40%. The Payment Percentage was reviewed and adjusted to 45% on November 18, 2010.
No PCLP Claims were paid during the Accounting Period. The Trust has not yet received proper release documents for twenty-two (22) remaining unpaid PCLP Claims in the total amount of $75,542. That amount is based upon the current Payment Percentage of 45% and includes an inflation adjustment of 16.26% utilized for claims payments made in 2014, which is based upon the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (“CPI-W”). Trust Claims
Claims received and disposed of from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, in accordance with the First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of J.T. Thorpe Case Valuation Matrix (“Matrix”) and the J.T. Thorpe, Inc., a California corporation/J.T. Thorpe, Inc., a dissolved California corporation/Thorpe Holding Company, Inc., a California corporation/Thorpe Technologies, Inc., a California corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement First Amendment to and Complete Restatement of Trust Distribution Procedures (“TDP”) are as set forth below.
The value of each compensable disease is determined by the Matrix and TDP. Claim compensation is adjusted for individual claimants based upon tort related individual characteristics, including, but not limited to: age, marital status, dependents, medical specials, economic loss, exposure location, and whether living at the time of
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commencement of litigation or filing the claim with the Trust. Each valid claim is awarded a total liquidated value. As of December 31, 2013, Trust Claims were paid at the approved Payment Percentage of 45%. Payments made on Trust Claims in 2013 included an additional 14.54% to account for inflation based upon the CPI-W. During the Accounting Period, 493 claims were received, 452 claims were paid, and 623 claims received offers. Below is a summary of the number and type of claims disposed of (paid) in 2013.
Compensable Disease Number
of Claims Grade II Non-Malignant 122 Grade I Non-Malignant 61 Grade I Non-Malignant Enhanced Asbestosis 30 Grade I Non-Malignant Serious Asbestosis 22 Colo-Rectal 13 Esophageal 2 Kidney 4 Laryngeal 2 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 2 Other Cancer 4 Lung Cancer 84 Mesothelioma 106
Total 452
2
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